BAZflyer: Fraser Island

Yesterday the Bazflyers landed at Hervey Bay and early this morning they rode the ferry across to Fraser Island. This World Heritage listed area is located some 200 kms north of Brisbane and represents the largest sand island in the world. Unlike most sand dunes, plant life on Fraser Island is abundant due to an underground aquifer and naturally occurring fungi present in the sand. The island is dominated with rain forests, eucalyptus woodland, mangrove forests and coastal heaths.

Apart from the island's amazing landscape the eastern coast also holds an interesting piece of New Zealand's history. One hundred years ago World War One was raging. New Zealanders along with Australians had landed on the Gallipoli Peninsular. The mounting flow of casualties was felt in every quarter of the home countries. Desperate to assist the people of New Zealand donated generously to equip and staff a hospital ship to support wounded Anzac soldiers. This ship was the SS Maheno and in 1915 it was the fasted passenger ship operating between New Zealand and Australia.

The Maheno with its dedicated NZ doctors, nurses and crew served courageously throughout the war. When hostilities ceased in 1918 the ship was used to transport soldiers home and later returned to service as a passenger liner. It was eventually retired in 1935 but while being towed from Sydney to Japan the tow-line broke. Sadly this gallant ship ended its days in one piece beached on Fraser Island. After eighty years of relentless pounding from sea, tides and sand only a skeleton of the SS Maheno remains visible.

One wonders how many of the folk who visit this shipwreck each year realise the important role it played during the Great War and the many lives saved by her hard working nurses and doctors.

Remains of the SS Maheno